Sunday, September 6, 2015

It Happened in America: Drogba's hat trick, Union make playoff push

New England Revolution 3-0 Orlando City

The Revs get a nice domination performance to solidify their own playoff hopes while damaging Orlando's. Diego Fagundez capped off a hard working first half with a 43rd minute goal. Their less than subtle domination continued even without the goals going in. The Revs took 21 shots to Orlando's eight while controlling 55% of the ball. The final two goals came from Juan Agudelo in the 84th and Christ Tierney at the end of stoppage time. The East playoffs are a little more clear than the West, but the battle for sixth place is strong. Despite this loss, Orlando still lives for that final spot. They are only two points back.

Montreal Impact 4-3 Chicago Fire

What a debut start for Didier Drogba. In his first time in Montreal's starting eleven he only bagged a hat trick and single handedly sent Montreal into a collective tizzy. All of them were the highly skilled goals that you would expect from Drogba. He looked like he was back in his Chelsea prime. Except he's 37 years old in MLS. His first was in the 27th minute before Jeff Larentowicz equalized from the spot. Wandrille Lefevre put Montreal ahead in the 42nd. Gilberto and Kennedy Igboananike completed the goals that didn't matter by the hour mark. Drogba took over in the 61st and had his hat trick completed by the 65th. For all the flack that MLS gets for being a retirement home for the old international stars, it's going to be a lot of fun having Didier Drogba around to watch. Chicago, despite having the lowest point total in all of MLS, is only four points back of the playoffs.

Seattle Sounders 2-1 Toronto FC

Seattle had Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins back in the lineup together for the first time in recent memory and proved that they can be a major force heading into the postseason. Toronto, meanwhile, was without their three best players as Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, and Michael Bradley were all away on international duty. Martins scored the first goal, assisted by Dempsey, in the sixth minute. Toronto would fight back and equalize in the 59th minute with a goal from Eriq Zavaleta. Dempsey would find the Sounders their winner in the 77th. Seattle climbs up to third after being out of the playoffs just a couple weeks ago. Boy the Western Conference is messed up.

San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia, once the worst team in MLS, is now only a point out of the playoffs after beating the red hot San Jose Earthquakes. After both teams struggled to find a goal, Chris Wondolowski converted a penalty in the 64th minute to make it look like the Quakes would grab their fifth straight win. The Union had other plans. Conor Casey scored in the 74th and 86th minutes to give the visitors all three points. The Quakes, who can never seem to win when it matters most, are still two points back of Portland in sixth out West.